The Potluck: Why start a podcast about dying churches? - with Matt McGee and Michael Lomuscio

The Last Service Podcast

In this special "Potluck" episode of The Last Service Podcast, host Matt McGee is interviewed by his friend Michael Lomuscio about the origins of the podcast, the declining state of church attendance and membership, and what constitutes a good or bad church closing.

Key Topics:

• Matt's background and what sparked his interest in researching closing churches
• Statistics on dropping church membership and attendance rates in the United States
• The possibility that more churches in America closed than opened in 2019 for the first time
• The rise of the "nones" - those with no religious affiliation
• Economic factors like deferred maintenance costs contributing to church closures
• Examples of good vs. bad ways for a church to close down
• Continuing the gospel mission vs. hoarding resources with no community impact

Resources:

Reorganized Religion by Bob Smietana

Fullstack Educator Podcast

Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition

Ryan Burge